One Sandy Day

For more intricate designs, some of the teams used spray bottles of water. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

For more intricate designs, some of the teams used spray bottles of water. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

When the kids division judging was complete, many gathered to cheer on the adults who continued building. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

The Sand Fleas won an honorable mention in the kids division with their Vacation Sphinx sculpture, in its early phases here. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

Some teams sketched out their plans before beginning whie others worked as they went. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

At one point, this contestant was smoothing his sculpture with a ruler and a small plastic card, similar to a credit card or hotel key. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

This team went with a "simple" paw print design for their first competition sculpture. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

Contestants used everything from shovels and molds to kitchen spoons, straws and paintbrushes to build their sculptures. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

A close-up shot of The Sand Sqaud's finished sculpture. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

It takes a careful combination of sand and water to create sturdy sculptures, and many teams had members relaying buckets of water as they built. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

The Sand Sqaud's finished piece, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the sand sculpting competition. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

Children gathered around the registration table to hear about the kids division awards for best in show. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

This duo won best in show in the kids division for their "iSand" sculpture that resembled a large iPhone. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

For the more complex designs, the most work was in the beginning, when teams shoveled and packed molds to build the bulky bases of their sculptures. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

This contestant used kitchen cutlery to create the intricate indentations in the sculpture's face, and finished it off by outfitting him with a grass necklace. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

The Sand Squad created this intricate sand castle atop a block of sand that served as the base. That block later became a "25" in celebration of the contest's 25th year. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

Several of the teams used saturated sand to create tiny dribble castles. This team created a large cityscape using many smaller towers. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

This team's scupture was inspired by this year's Piccolo Spoleto Festival poster and program booklet. They dyed the sand with colored water in spray bottles. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

The kids and family divisions had excited sculptors of all ages. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

Corhole games were awarded to some of the top winners. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier

Teams and contestants drew literal lines in the sand to make clear thair assigned spaces. Melanie Deziel/Special to The Post and Courier